5 months post THR and foot turning inward

Posted by walk4life @walk4life, Jun 19, 2023

I am 5 months post op for a RTHR. In the past week , I have noticed my right foot seems to be turning inward. Is this something I need to be concerned about, or contact the surgeon? Has anyone else had this happen ?

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@walk4life Although I don't have experience with hip replacement, my pelvis can easily go out of alignment and that can at times either make it seem like one leg is longer or a foot is turning inward. The way to check is lay flat on your back and relax and see if your feet point equally outward. My physical therapist would check me this way. I think you should bring it up with your surgeon and perhaps ask for a script to physical therapy to have it evaluated.

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@walk4life Gait changes after joint surgery are not uncommon. As the bones and muscles heal, there can often be a new imbalance (remember the damaged joint had caused its own issues over time.) After my first bilateral hip replacement surgery, I know I had a tendency to "toe in" with one foot - my husband often mentioned it and if I wasn't careful I would trip. The surgeon was dismissive, and even told me "You don't need PT, just your normal walking is enough."
After one of my hip revisions, the toe in became very pronounced (the muscles were severely compromised before those later surgeries.) The second surgeon said I "absolutely needed PT" - and the PT included extensive gait training to get me straightened out.
So Jennifer is correct - ask the surgeon for a PT referral. If they refuse, ask your primary to order it for you, and specifically ask for "gait training" which will include bot specific walking exercises and muscle strengthening exercises.
Sue

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@jenniferhunter

@walk4life Although I don't have experience with hip replacement, my pelvis can easily go out of alignment and that can at times either make it seem like one leg is longer or a foot is turning inward. The way to check is lay flat on your back and relax and see if your feet point equally outward. My physical therapist would check me this way. I think you should bring it up with your surgeon and perhaps ask for a script to physical therapy to have it evaluated.

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Thanks , I completed my post op PT about 2 months ago and at that time was not having this problem. I will ask about a PT referral or call the PT directly.

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